The Edsels
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The Edsels were an American doo-wop group from Campbell, Ohio who were active during the late 1950s and early 1960s. The name of the group was originally The Essos, after the oil company, but was changed to match the new Ford automobile, the Edsel. They recorded over 25 songs and had multiple performances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. The Edsels were one of the few doo-wop groups to sign with a major record label, as most groups of that era found success with small independent labels; before their national hit "Rama Lama Ding Dong", songs like "What Brought Us Together", "Bone Shaker Joe" and "Do You Love Me" helped the group land a major recording contract with Capitol Records in 1961.
Today the group is known almost exclusively for "Rama Lama Ding Dong", written by lead singer George "Wydell" Jones Jr. The song was recorded in 1957 and released, under the erroneous title "Lama Rama Ding Dong", in 1958. It did not become popular until 1961, after a disc jockey in New York City began to play it as a segue from the Marcels' doo-wop version of "Blue Moon". The song eventually became popular throughout the US, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It is the official goal song of German soccer club VfL Wolfsburg.
The group continues to perform today. In addition, James Reynolds performs with his five sons Jeff, Baron, Patrick, Chris and Carlisle (as the Reynolds Brothers). That group released an album, The Reynolds Brothers, featuring songs written by James and fellow Edsels member George Jones.
Songwriter George Jones died of cancer on September 5, 2008, at age 71.
Marshall Sewell died of esophageal cancer on June 5, 2013, at the age of 75.
Emmett T. Perkins II died on February 11, 2014, at the age of 75.
Dr. James C. Reynolds died on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the age of 86.
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